U.S. patent number 9,999,896 [Application Number 15/645,149] was granted by the patent office on 2018-06-19 for piston pump with locking pistons.
This patent grant is currently assigned to OP-Hygiene IP GmbH. The grantee listed for this patent is OP-Hygiene IP GmbH. Invention is credited to Andrew Jones, Heiner Ophardt.
United States Patent |
9,999,896 |
Ophardt , et al. |
June 19, 2018 |
Piston pump with locking pistons
Abstract
A piston pump with an improved arrangement by which a
piston-forming element is movable relative to a piston
chamber-forming element between locked and unlocked positions. The
piston chamber-forming body has a collar member having an inner
guide tube coaxially about an axis with a lug member extending
radially inwardly therefrom and the piston-forming element has a
slide tube coaxially radially inwardly of the collar member with
the slide tube carrying motion control features for interaction and
engagement with the lug member whereby relative axial and
rotational movement of the piston-forming element relative to the
piston chamber-forming body provides for the adoption of positions
in which the pump is operable to dispense fluid and positions in
which the pump is inoperative.
Inventors: |
Ophardt; Heiner (Arisdorf,
CH), Jones; Andrew (St. Anns, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OP-Hygiene IP GmbH |
Niederbipp |
N/A |
CH |
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Assignee: |
OP-Hygiene IP GmbH (Niederbipp,
CH)
|
Family
ID: |
59276577 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/645,149 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20180015489 A1 |
Jan 18, 2018 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jul 12, 2016 [CA] |
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2935908 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
11/3004 (20130101); B05B 11/3087 (20130101); B67D
7/0211 (20130101); B05B 11/306 (20130101); B05B
11/3059 (20130101); B05B 7/0037 (20130101); B05B
11/3008 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
11/00 (20060101); B67D 7/02 (20100101) |
Field of
Search: |
;222/153.13 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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6227060 |
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Feb 1987 |
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JP |
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2008045820 |
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Apr 2008 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Weiss; Nicholas J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Thorpe North & Western LLP
Claims
We claim:
1. A pump assembly for dispensing a liquid from a container
comprising: a piston chamber-forming body having a cylindrical
fluid chamber disposed about an axis and open at an axially outer
end, a piston-forming element comprising a piston member and an
actuator member, the piston member extending from the actuator
member coaxially inwardly through the outer end of the fluid
chamber into the fluid chamber and engaging the fluid chamber to
form a liquid pump, the piston-forming element including a central
axially extending stem with a passageway therethrough for passage
of the liquid discharged by the liquid pump axially outwardly to a
discharge outlet on the actuator member axially outwardly of the
piston chamber-forming body, wherein in coaxial reciprocal movement
of the piston-forming element relative the piston chamber-forming
body about the axis between a retracted axial position and an
extended axial position the liquid pump dispenses liquid from the
container out the discharge outlet, the piston chamber-forming body
including a collar member for engagement with an opening of the
container, the collar member having an inner guide tube coaxially
about the axis open at both an axially inner end and an axial outer
end, the guide tube having a cylindrical radially inwardly directed
inner guide surface, a lug member extending radially inwardly from
the inner guide surface, the lug member extending radially inwardly
from the inner guide surface over a circumferential extent C, a
radial extent R, and an axial extent A, the piston-forming element
having an outer slide tube fixed to the actuator member at an
axially outer end and extending axially inwardly to an open axial
inner slide tube end, the slide tube coaxially about the piston
member radially outwardly about the piston member, the slide tube
having a radially outwardly directed outer tubular slide tube wall,
a pair of axially extending circumferentially spaced cut slots each
cut radially through the slide tube wall from a respective inner
slot end open to the inner slide tube end to a respective blind
outer slot end located spaced axially outwardly from the inner
slide tube end, a first finger member defined in the slide tube
wall between the cut slots with the first finger member extending
from an axially inner distal end of the first finger member to an
axially outer end of the first finger member where the first finger
member merges into the slide tube wall between the outer slot ends,
the first finger member deflectable by radially inwardly directed
forces to move the distal end radially inwardly relative the slide
tube wall, the slide tube having an axially extending first slide
channel extending radially inwardly from the slide tube wall, the
first slide channel and the lug member complementarily sized in
circumferential extent and radial extent such that when the slide
tube is rotated about the axis relative the guide tube to a first
operative rotational position the lug member slides axially in the
first side channel permitting relative coaxial sliding between the
retracted position and the extended position for operation of the
liquid pump to dispense the liquid, the slide tube having an
axially extending first stop slot extending radially inwardly into
the slide tube wall, the first stop slot and the lug member
complementarily sized in circumferential extent and radial extent
such that when the slide tube is rotated about the axis relative
the guide tube to a first inoperative rotational position the lug
member is received in the first stop slot and engagement between
the slide tube and the guide tube limits relative coaxial sliding
to prevent operation of the liquid pump to dispense the liquid, the
first finger member located on the slide tube circumferentially
between the first slide channel and the first stop slot, in
relative rotation of the guide tube and the slide tube about the
axis from the first inoperative rotational position to the first
operative rotational position the first finger member blocks the
circumferential movement of the lug member until with relative
rotation about the axis a camming surface of the lug member and a
cammed surface on the first finger member engage deflecting the
first finger member radially inwardly out of the path of the lug
member permitting the lug member to rotate circumferentially
therepast from the first inoperative rotational position to the
first operative rotational position.
2. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the piston-forming
element carrying a finger stopping surface located radially
inwardly from the first finger member limiting radial inward
deflection of the first finger member.
3. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein on radially inward
deflection of the first finger member the finger stopping surface
located radially inwardly from the first finger member is engaged
by the first finger member and increases the resistance to
deflecting the first finger member radially inwardly out of the
path of the lug member.
4. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the finger
stopping surface is resilient having an inherent bias to assume an
inherent position and when deflected from the inherent position
returns to the inherent position, the finger stopping surface
located radially inwardly from the first finger member is engaged
by the first finger member and resiliently biases the first finger
member radially outwardly.
5. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the finger
stopping surface is carried on the stem of the piston forming
element.
6. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the finger
stopping surface comprises a cylindrical radially outwardly
directed surface of the stem coaxial about the axis.
7. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein when the slide
tube is in the first inoperative rotational position with the lug
member received in the first stop slot, engagement between an
axially outwardly directed stop surface on the lug member and an
axially inwardly directed stop surface on the guide tube limits
relative coaxial sliding of the slide tube axially inwardly
relative the guide tube.
8. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein when the slide
tube is in the first inoperative rotational position with the lug
member received in the first stop slot, engagement between an
axially outwardly directed stop surface on the lug member and the
axially inwardly directed stop surface on the guide tube limits
relative coaxial sliding of the slide tube axially inwardly
relative the guide tube at an inner axial stop position not farther
axially outward then the retracted position.
9. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first slide
channelway includes a stop wall that engages the lug member while
in the slide channelway to prevent rotation of the slide tube
relative the guide tube from the first operative rotational
position to the first inoperative rotational position unless the
piston-forming element is axially positioned relative the piston
chamber-forming body between the retracted axial position and the
inner axial stop position.
10. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lug member is
carried at an axial location on the guide tube, and the first
finger member is carried on the slide tube at an axial location
whereby when the piston-forming element is in or between the
retracted axial position and the inner axial stop position with
relative rotation of the guide tube and slide tube about the axis
the camming surface of the lug member and the cammed surface on the
first finger member engage to deflect the first finger member
radially inwardly out of the path of the lug member permitting the
lug member to rotate circumferentially therepast from the first
inoperative rotational position to the first operative rotational
position.
11. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the inner slide
tube end carries a radially outwardly extending stop flange member
with an axially outwardly directed stop surface, the stop flange
member located axially inwardly of the axially inner end of the
guide tube to engage an axially inwardly directed stop surface on
the axially inner end of the guide tube to limit axial outward
movement of the slide tube in the guide tube in the extended
position.
12. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first slide
channel includes a stop wall that engages the lug member to prevent
rotation from the first operative rotational position once the lug
member is in the first slide channel.
13. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein: the first slide
channel includes a stop wall that engages the lug member while the
lug member is in the first slide channel to prevent rotation from
the first operative rotational position to the first inoperative
rotational position unless the piston-forming element is axially
positioned relative the piston chamber-forming body between the
retracted axial position and the inner axial stop position.
14. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator
member carrying at an axially outer end an axially outwardly
directed engagement surface for the application of manual forces to
move the piston forming element towards the retracted position.
15. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein a spring member
disposed between the piston chamber-forming body and the
piston-forming element biasing the piston-forming element to the
extended position, the actuator member includes a radially
extending discharge tube with the discharge outlet at a radially
outer end and an internal passage directing the liquid from the
passageway in the stem radially outwardly to the discharge
outlet.
16. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein: a pair of
axially extending circumferentially spaced second cut slots each
cut radially through the slide tube wall from a respective inner
slot end open to the inner slide tube end to a respective blind
outer slot end located spaced axially outwardly from the inner
slide tube end, a second finger member defined in the slide tube
wall between the second cut slots with the second finger member
extending from an axially inner distal end of the second finger
member to an axially outer end of the second finger member where
the second finger member merges into the slide tube wall between
the outer slot ends, the second finger member deflectable by
radially inwardly directed forces to move the distal end radially
inwardly relative the slide tube wall, the slide tube having an
axially extending second slide channel extending radially inwardly
from the slide tube wall, the second slide channel and the lug
member complementarily sized in circumferential extent and radial
extent such that when the slide tube is rotated about the axis
relative the guide tube to a second operative rotational position
the lug member slides axially in the second side channel permitting
relative coaxial sliding between the retracted position and the
extended position for operation of the liquid pump to dispense the
liquid, the second finger member located on the slide tube
circumferentially adjacent the second slide channel adjacent the
first stop slot on an opposite circumferential side of the first
stop slot than the first slide channel, in relative rotation of the
guide tube and the slide tube about the axis from the first
inoperative rotational position to the second operative rotational
position the second finger member blocks the circumferential
movement of the lug member until with relative rotation about the
axis the camming surface of the lug member and a cammed surface on
the second finger member engage deflecting the second finger member
radially inwardly out of the path of the lug member permitting the
lug member to rotate circumferentially therepast from the first
inoperative rotational position to the second operative rotational
position.
17. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the slide tube
having an axially extending second stop slot extending radially
inwardly from the slide tube wall, the second finger member located
on the slide tube circumferentially between the second slide slot
and the first stop slot, and on an opposite circumferential side of
the first stop slot than the first slide channel, the second stop
slot and the lug complementarily sized in circumferential extent
and radial extent such that when the slide tube is rotated about
the axis relative the guide tube to a second inoperative rotational
position the lug member is received in the second stop slot and
engagement between the slide tube and the guide tube limits
relative coaxial sliding to prevent operation of the liquid pump to
dispense the liquid.
18. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the inner slide
tube end carries a radially outwardly extending stop flange member
with an axially outwardly directed stop surface, the stop flange
member located axially inwardly of the axially inner end of the
guide tube to engage an axially inwardly directed stop surface on
the inner end of the guide tube to limit axial outward movement of
the slide tube in the guide tube in the extended position.
19. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the lug member
carried at an axial location on the guide tube, and the first
finger member carried on the slide tube at an axial location
whereby when the piston-forming element is in the retracted axial
position.
20. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the piston
chamber-forming body having a cylindrical air chamber disposed
about the axis having an axially inner end and an axially outer
end, the axially outer end of the liquid chamber opening into the
air chamber, the piston member extending from the actuator member
coaxially inwardly through the outer end of the air chamber into
the fluid chamber, the piston member and engaging the air chamber
to form an air pump for discharge of air into the passageway of the
stem for simultaneous passage of the liquid discharged by the
liquid pump and the air discharged by the air pump axially
outwardly to the discharge outlet, wherein in coaxial reciprocal
movement of the piston-forming element relative the piston
chamber-forming body about the axis between a retracted axial
position and an extended axial position, the liquid pump dispenses
liquid from the container out the discharge outlet and the air pump
discharges air out the discharge outlet.
Description
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a piston pump assembly having a
piston-forming element coaxially mounted to a piston
chamber-forming body for reciprocal axial movement to dispense
product and in which the piston-forming element is movable between
locked inoperative and unlocked operative positions by sequenced
rotational and/or axial movement relative the piston
chamber-forming body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pumps for dispensing fluid product from containers are known to
include piston pumps in which a piston is moved axially to
discharge a fluid and in which the piston may be moved to a locked
position in which the pump is inoperative as can be advantageous
during shipping or handling.
A number of disadvantages arise with known lockable piston pumps.
One disadvantage is that with many known pumps, the piston
inadvertently moves out a locked position in shipping. Another
disadvantage is that during the use of many known pumps, upon
moving the piston from a locked to an unlocked position, the pump
does not provide a tactical feeling to a user by which the user may
understand that the piston has been moved between locked and
unlocked positions. Another disadvantage with many known pumps is
that a considerable number of components are required to provide a
locking mechanism as contrasted with pumps that do not include a
locking mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To at least partially overcome some of these disadvantages of known
pumps, the present invention provides a piston pump with an
improved arrangement by which a piston-forming element is movable
relative to a piston chamber-forming element between locked and
unlocked positions. Preferably, in accordance with the present
invention, the piston chamber-forming body has a collar member
having an inner guide tube coaxially about an axis with a lug
member extending radially inwardly therefrom and the piston-forming
element has a slide tube coaxially radially inwardly of the collar
member with the slide tube carrying motion control features for
interaction and engagement with the lug member whereby relative
axial and rotational movement of the piston-forming element
relative to the piston chamber-forming body provides for the
adoption of positions in which the pump is operable to dispense
fluid and positions in which the pump is inoperative.
Preferably, the slide tube has a side wall that has integrally
formed therein a resilient finger member disposed circumferentially
between a stop slot and a slide channel on the slide tube such that
with rotation of the piston-forming element to appropriate axial
positions relative to the piston chamber-forming member, the lug
member moves between a position in the stop slot in which the pump
is rendered inoperative, and a position in the slide channel in
which axial movement for operation of the pump is permitted.
The finger member preferably is provided in the slide tube as a
resilient member axially between two axially extending cut slots
cut through the side wall of the slide tube with the finger member
extending between the cut slots to a distal inner end.
Preferably, the provision of the finger member, the slide channel
and the stop slot in the side tube wall reduces the number of
components required for the pump.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a liquid pump for
dispensing a liquid from a container comprising:
a piston chamber-forming body having a cylindrical fluid chamber
disposed about an axis and open at an axially outer end,
a piston-forming element comprising a piston member and an actuator
member,
the piston member extending from the actuator member coaxially
inwardly through the outer end of the fluid chamber into the fluid
chamber and engaging the fluid chamber to form a liquid pump,
the piston-forming element including a central axially extending
stem with a passageway therethrough for passage of the liquid
discharged by the liquid pump axially outwardly to a discharge
outlet on the actuator member axially outwardly of the piston
chamber-forming body,
wherein in coaxial reciprocal movement of the piston-forming
element relative the piston chamber-forming body about the axis
between a retracted axial position and an extended axial position,
the liquid pump dispenses liquid from the container out the
discharge outlet 36,
the piston chamber-forming body including a collar member for
engagement with an opening of the container,
the collar member having an inner guide tube coaxially about the
axis open at both an axially inner end and an axial outer end, the
guide tube having a cylindrical radially inwardly directed inner
guide surface,
a lug member extending radially inwardly from the inner guide
surface,
the lug member extending radially inwardly from the inner guide
surface over a circumferential extent C, a radial extent R, and an
axial extent A,
the piston-forming element having an outer slide tube fixed to the
actuator member at an axially outer end and extending axially
inwardly to an open axial inner slide tube end,
the slide tube coaxially about the piston member radially outwardly
about the piston member,
the slide tube having a radially outwardly directed outer tubular
slide tube wall,
a pair of axially extending circumferentially spaced cut slots,
each cut radially through the slide tube wall from a respective
inner slot end open to the inner slide tube end to a respective
blind outer slot end located spaced axially outwardly from the
inner slide tube end,
a first finger member defined in the slide tube wall between the
cut slots with the first finger member extending from an axially
inner distal end of the first finger member to an axially outer end
of the first finger member where the first finger member merges
into the slide tube wall between the outer slot ends,
the first finger member deflectable by radially inwardly directed
forces to move the distal end radially inwardly relative the slide
tube wall,
the slide tube having an axially extending first slide channel
extending radially inwardly from the slide tube wall,
the first slide channel and the lug member complementarily sized in
circumferential extent and radial extent such that when the slide
tube is rotated about the axis relative the guide tube to a first
operative rotational position, the lug member slides axially in the
first side channel permitting relative coaxial sliding between the
retracted position and the extended position for operation of the
liquid pump to dispense the liquid,
the slide tube having an axially extending first stop slot
extending radially inwardly into the slide tube wall,
the first stop slot and the lug member complementarily sized in
circumferential extent and radial extent such that when the slide
tube is rotated about the axis relative the guide tube to a first
inoperative rotational position, the lug member is received in the
first stop slot and engagement between the slide tube and the guide
tube limits relative coaxial sliding to prevent operation of the
liquid pump to dispense the liquid,
the first finger member located on the slide tube circumferentially
between the first slide channel and the first stop slot,
in relative rotation of the guide tube and the slide tube about the
axis from the first inoperative rotational position to the first
operative rotational position, the first finger member blocks the
circumferential movement of the lug member until with relative
rotation about the axis, a camming surface of the lug member and a
cammed surface on the first finger member engage deflecting the
first finger member radially inwardly out of the path of the lug
member permitting the lug member to rotate circumferentially
therepast from the first inoperative rotational position to the
first operative rotational position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will occur
from the following description taken together with the accompanying
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a fluid dispenser with a pump
assembly in accordance with the present invention in a locked
condition;
FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with the pump
assembly in an unlocked extended position;
FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with the pump
assembly in an unlocked retracted condition;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view through the dispenser of FIG.
2 along section line A-A' including a central axis through the pump
assembly;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the pump
assembly as shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view same as FIG. 5, but showing
the pump assembly in the retracted position as in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a pictorial view with a collar member of the pump
assembly in FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a pictorial cross-sectional view along section line A-A'
in FIG. 2 of a tube member of the piston chamber-forming body of
the pump assembly of FIG. 4;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the piston chamber-forming
element as seen in FIG. 4;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the piston-forming
element as seen in FIG. 4;
FIG. 11 is a pictorial cross-sectional side view along section line
A-A' in FIG. 2 of the piston member of the piston chamber-forming
body shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a pictorial cross-sectional side view along section line
A-A' in FIG. 2 of the actuator member of the piston-forming element
shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is a pictorial rear view of the actuator member of FIG. 12
as seen from above;
FIG. 14 is a pictorial right side view of the actuator member of
FIG. 12 as seen from below;
FIG. 15 is a pictorial rear view of the actuator member of FIG. 12
as seen from below;
FIG. 16 is a pictorial bottom view showing merely the collar member
coupled to the actuator member in the locked condition of FIG.
1;
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view through FIG. 16 along
section plane B-B' in FIG. 16 including the central axis through
the pump assembly;
FIG. 18 is a pictorial cross-sectional view of the collar member
and actuator member of FIG. 16 along section line C-C' in FIG.
17;
FIG. 19 is a pictorial bottom view similar to FIG. 16, but showing
the collar member and the actuator member in the unlocked retracted
condition of FIG. 2;
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional top view along section line D-D' in
FIG. 17 showing the pump in a unlocked extended position as in FIG.
2, however, with the chamber member and the spring member, not
shown;
FIG. 21 is a view the same as FIG. 20 but with the pump in the
locked extended position as in FIG. 1;
FIG. 22 is a view the same as FIG. 21 but in which the actuator
member has been rotated clockwise relative to the collar member so
as to increase an angular position indicated as A in FIG. 21 to an
angular position indicated as B in FIG. 22;
FIG. 23 is a view the same as FIG. 22 but in which the actuator
member has been rotated clockwise relative to the collar member so
as to increase an angular position indicated as B in FIG. 22 to an
angular position indicated as C in FIG. 23;
FIG. 24 is a view the same as FIG. 20 but showing a second
embodiment of a pump assembly in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional side view the same as FIG. 5, but
showing a pump assembly in accordance with a third embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 26 is a pictorial right side view of an actuator member as
seen from below for a fourth embodiment of a pump assembly in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a fluid dispenser with a pump
assembly in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present
invention in an unlocked extended position;
FIG. 28 is a pictorial right side view of the actuator member as
seen from below for the fifth embodiment of the pump assembly and
dispenser shown in FIG. 27;
FIG. 29 is cross-sectional side view through FIG. 28 along section
plane E-E';
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a fluid dispenser with a pump
assembly in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present
invention in an unlocked extended position;
FIG. 31 is a pictorial rear view of the actuator member as seen
from below for the sixth embodiment of the pump assembly and
dispenser shown in FIG. 30;
FIG. 32 is cross-sectional side view through FIG. 31 along section
plane G-G;
FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a fluid dispenser with a pump
assembly in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present
invention in an unlocked extended position;
FIG. 34 is a pictorial right side view of the actuator member as
seen from above for the seventh embodiment of the pump assembly and
dispenser shown in FIG. 33; and
FIG. 35 is a pictorial rear view of the actuator member of FIG. 34
as seen from below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 23 showing a first embodiment of a
dispenser 9 in accordance with the present invention. The dispenser
9 includes a pump assembly 10 and a container 12. In FIGS. 1, 2 and
3, for ease of illustration, the container 12 is illustrated as
being transparent.
The container 12 is enclosed but for an opening 37, as seen in FIG.
4, provided at an axially outer end of a threaded neck 101 of the
container which is coupled to a top wall 102 of the container 12.
The top wall 102 merges into a side wall 103 and, hence, into a
bottom wall 104. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a liquid 105 is
contained within the container 12 and the pump assembly 10 is
adapted to discharge the liquid 105 from container 12.
As seen in the cross-section of FIG. 4, the pump assembly 10 has a
piston chamber-forming body 14 and a piston-forming element 16.
Each of the piston chamber-forming body 14 and the piston-forming
element 16 are substantially disposed coaxially about a central
axis 20. When the pump assembly 10 is in an unlocked configuration,
coaxial reciprocal movement of the piston-forming element 16
relative the piston chamber-forming body 14 about the axis 20
between an axially extended position as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5
and an axially retracted position shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, dispenses
the liquid 105 from the container 12 out a discharge outlet 36 of
the piston-forming element 16.
The piston chamber-forming body 14, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 9,
comprises two major components, a collar member 38 and a tube
member 39 which are fixedly secured together in a snap fit
relation. The piston-forming element 16 includes as two lesser
elements a one-way inlet valve 17 and a dip tube 19.
The tube member 39 has a side wall 106 disposed coaxially about the
axis 20 with a generally stepped configuration so as to define an
axially inner fluid chamber 18 and an axially outer air chamber
118.
The fluid chamber 18 is defined inside the wall 106 from an axially
inner end 119 to an axially outer end 120 of the fluid chamber 18.
The axially inner end 119 is defined by a radially inwardly
extending shoulder 121 with an inlet opening 122 coaxially
therethrough opening axially inwardly into a socket 123 open
axially inwardly. The socket 123 is adapted to frictionally receive
an inner end of the dip tube 19. The hollow tubular dip tube 19
extends downwardly to a lower end 107 disposed approximate the
bottom wall 104 of the container 12. The one-way inlet valve 17 is
secured in the inlet opening 122 in a snap fit and includes a
resilient disc 124 that engages the radially inwardly directed
inner surface of the wall 106 to permit fluid flow axially
outwardly therepast yet to prevent fluid flow axially inwardly
therepast as in a manner, for example, described in a similar
one-way inlet valve in U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,277 to Ophardt issued
Oct. 14, 1997, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference. The fluid chamber 18 is open at its axially outer end
120 into an inner end 125 of the air chamber 118. The air chamber
118 is defined within the wall 106 between its axially inner end
125 and an axially outer end 130. Thus, the fluid chamber 118 is
open at its axially inner end 120 into the air chamber 118. The air
chamber 118 is open axially outwardly at its axially outer end 130.
The fluid chamber 118 is defined between its axially inner end 119
and its axially outer end 120 radially inwardly of an inner portion
131 of the wall 106 which is circular in cross-section,
substantially cylindrical and has a diameter. The air chamber 118
is defined between its axially inner end 125 and its axially outer
end 130 by an outer portion 132 of the wall 106 which is circular
in cross-section, substantially cylindrical and has a diameter
larger than the diameter of the inner wall portion 131 forming the
fluid chamber 18. As best seen in FIG. 8, the wall 106 carries at
the outer end 130 a radially outwardly extending snap flange 135
and spaced axially inwardly from the snap flange 135, a radially
outwardly extending sealing flange 134.
As seen in FIGS. 5 and 9 the collar member 38 is secured in a fixed
snap fit relation on to the axially outer end 130 of the tube
member 39. The collar member 38 has an inner guide tube 40
coaxially about the axis 20. The inner guide tube 40 is open both
at an axially inner end 41 and an axially outer end 42. The guide
tube 40 has a cylindrical radially inwardly directed inner guide
surface 44 extending between its inner end 41 and its outer end 42.
The collar member 38 includes a radially outwardly extending
shoulder flange 140 merging into an outer collar tube 142 having a
threaded radially inwardly directed surface 143 carrying threads
for engagement with complementary threads on the threaded neck 101
of the container 12. Between the inner guide tube 40 and the outer
collar tube 142, an axially extending snap tube 144 extends axially
inwardly from the shoulder flange 140. As seen in FIG. 9, the snap
flange 135 on the collar member 38 carries an axially inwardly
directed shoulder for engagement with an axially outwardly directed
shoulder on the snap tube 144 to fixedly secure the collar member
38 and the tube member 39 coaxially about the axis 20 with the
inner guide tube 40 disposed radially inwardly of the wall 106 of
the tube member 39 about the outer end 130. As can be seen in FIG.
4, the collar member 38 is secured to the container 12 with the
threaded surface 143 of the collar member 38 engaging the threaded
neck 101 on the container 12 and urging the sealing flange 134 of
the tube member 38 into sealed engagement with the opening 37 of
the container 12, preferably with a resilient annular gasket member
200 disposed axially therebetween.
Referring to FIG. 7 showing the collar member 38, the inner guide
tube 40 carries a lug member 46 that extends radially inwardly from
the inner guide surface 44. The lug member 38 as seen in FIG. 7 has
an axially outwardly directed outer axial lug stop surface 218, an
axially inwardly directed inner axial lug stop surface 219, a
circumferentially directed right lug side surface 220, a
circumferentially directed left lug side surface 222, and a
radially inwardly directed circumferential lug surface 223. The lug
member 28 provides as curved merger of the right lug side surface
220 and the circumferential lug surface 223, a camming surface 78.
The lug member 46 is marked on FIG. 7 to extend radially inwardly
from the inner guide surface 44 over a circumferential extent C
between the right lug side surface 220 and the left lug side
surface 22, a radial extent R from the inner guide surface 44 to
the circumferential lug surface 223 and an axial extent A between
the outer axial lug stop surface 218 and the inner axial lug stop
surface 219.
Reference is made to FIGS. 10 to 12 showing the piston-forming
element 16 as comprising two major elements, namely, a piston
member 24 and an actuator member 26. In addition, as a minor
element, the piston-forming element 16 includes a foam generator 25
schematically illustrated in FIG. 11.
The foam generator 25 is schematically illustrated as a cylindrical
member comprising a pair of spaced screens 601, 602 bonded to the
axial ends of a cylindrical porous sponge-like plug. The particular
nature of the foam generator 25 is, however, not limited. The foam
generator 25 is adapted to be received within the passageway 34
axially inwardly from an inner stem tube 170 on the actuator member
26 and supported on a radially outwardly directed shoulder within
the passageway 34. The particular nature of a foam generator 25 is
not limited and the purpose of the foam generator is to generate a
consistent mixture of a foamed air and liquid product on
simultaneous passing of the air and liquid therethrough.
The piston member 24 is best seen by itself in FIG. 11 as being
disposed coaxially about the axis 20. The piston-forming element 16
includes a central axially extending stem 32 with a passageway 34
therethrough closed at an axially inner end 150 and open at an
axially outer end 151. The piston member 24 carries a reduced
diameter axially innermost fluid piston portion 152 which is
adapted to be coaxially received within the fluid chamber 18 to
form a liquid pump 30. The fluid piston portion 152 includes a
resilient inner disc 153 that engages the side wall 106 in the
fluid chamber 118 to permit fluid flow axially outwardly therepast
but to prevent fluid flow axially inwardly therepast. The fluid
piston portion 152 includes an outer disc 154 that engages the side
wall 106 in the fluid chamber 18 to prevent fluid flow axially
therepast. Liquid ports 155 located on the stem 32 between the
outer disc 154 and the inner disc 153 extend coaxially through the
stem 32 into the passageway 34. With reciprocal coaxial movement of
the piston member 24 relative to the tube member 39, the fluid 105
is drawn upwardly from the container 12 though the dip tube 19 past
the one-way inlet valve 17 into the fluid chamber 18 in a
retraction stroke and in an opposite extension stroke, the fluid
105 is discharged axially outwardly past the inner disc 153 into an
annular space 149 radially outward of the stem 32 and radially
inward of the wall 106 and between the inner disc 153 and the outer
disc 154 and hence via the liquid ports 155 radially through the
stem 32 into the passageway 34 leading to the discharge outlet 36.
The operation of the liquid pump 30 is substantially the same as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,277 to Ophardt referenced above.
However, many other configurations of a piston pump may be adopted
for the liquid pump 30 without departing from the present
invention.
In the liquid pump 30, there is defined between the outer disc 54
and the one-way inlet valve 17, a liquid compartment 401 with a
volume that varies with the axial position of the piston member 24
within the fluid chamber 18.
Axially outwardly on the stem 32 from the outer disc 154, transfer
ports 156 are provided radially through the stem 32 into the
passageway 34. Axially outwardly from the transfer ports 156, an
annular air disc 157 extends radially outwardly from the stem 32.
The air disc 157 extends radially from stem 32 at an axially outer
end 174 of the air disc 157 as a radial shoulder 175 that bridges
between the stem 32 and a generally cylindrical tubular portion 176
of the air disc 157. The tubular portion 176 extends coaxially
about the axis 20 from the radial shoulder 175 axially inwardly to
merge with at an axially inner end with the radially outwardly
flange 177 carrying disc arms 161 and 162.
As can be seen in FIG. 5, the air disc 157 at its radial outer end
carries the pair of resilient disc arms 161 and 162 which engage
the inner surface of the wall 106 inside the air chamber 118 to
provide a seal preventing flow axially inwardly or outwardly
therepast.
An air compartment 402 is defined annularly about the stem 32
radially between the stem 32 and the wall 106 about the air chamber
118 and axially between the air disc 157 and the outer disc 154.
The air compartment 402 has a volume that varies with the axial
position of the piston member 24 within the tube member 39 whereby
an air pump 31 is formed. In a retraction stroke, the volume of the
air compartment 402 decreases forcing air through the transfer port
156 into the passageway 34 simultaneously with the discharge of the
liquid 105 from the pump liquid 30 into the passageway 34 for
simultaneous discharge of air and liquid via the passageway 34
through the foam generator 25 to produce a foam of air and the
liquid that is discharged to the discharge outlet 36. In a
withdrawal stroke, the volume of the air compartment 402 increases
drawing via the discharge outlet 36 air from the atmosphere, as
well as drawing any foam, air or liquid within the passageway 34
into the air compartment 402.
A spring member 15 is disposed with the air chamber 118 engaged at
an axially inner end of the spring member 15 on a radially
extending shoulder 158 between the outer end 120 of the fluid
chamber 18 and the inner end 125 of the air chamber 118 and at an
axially inner end and at an axially outer end of the spring member
15 on the shoulder flange 175 the air disc 157. The spring member
15 biases the piston member 24 and thereby the piston-forming
element 16 axially outwardly relative to the piston chamber-forming
body 14 to the extended position as shown in FIG. 5 and is
compressible to permit the piston-forming element 16 to be moved
relative the piston chamber-forming body 14 from the extended
position of FIG. 5 to the retracted position of FIG. 6.
Reference is made to FIG. 12 showing the actuator member 26 alone.
The actuator member 26 includes at an axially outer end a radially
extending endcap 170 from which an outer slide tube 48 extends
axially inwardly from an axially outer end 49 of the outer slide
tube 48 to an open axially inner slide tube end 50. The slide tube
48 extends coaxially about the axis 20 axially inwardly from the
end cap 170. An inner stem tube 171 also extends coaxially about
the axis 20 from the endcap 170 coaxially within the outer slide
tube 48 to an axially inner end 172 of the inner stem tube 171. The
actuator member 26 carries a radially outwardly extending discharge
tube 96 that extends radially outwardly from the end cap 170 and
carries the discharge outlet 36 at a radially outer end 97. An
internal passage 98 extends radially through the discharge tube 96
to provide for communication between the discharge outlet 36 and
the passageway 34 in the stem 32.
As can be seen in FIG. 10, the piston member 24 and the actuator
member 26 are fixedly secured together with the inner stem tube 171
coaxially within the open outer end of the passageway 34 of the
stem 32 of the piston member 24 in frictional engagement. The end
cap 170 of the actuator member 26 provides an axially outer end of
the actuator member 26 as an axially outwardly directed engagement
surface 93 for the application of manual forces to move the
piston-forming element 16 relative the piston chamber-forming body
14 axially from the extended position as seen in FIG. 5 to the
retracted position such as seen in FIG. 6.
As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 9, an air port 146 is provided
radially through the wall 106 into the air chamber 118. Reference
is made to FIG. 4 which illustrates the air port 146 as open on a
radial outward side of the tube member 36 via an annular passageway
173 between the tube member 39 and the neck 101 of the container 12
into the interior of the container 12. When the piston-forming
element 16 is in an extended position as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the
disc arms 161 and 162 on the air disc 157 overly the air port 146
and prevent flow through the air port 146. However, on the
piston-forming element 16 being moved axially inwardly relative to
the piston chamber-forming body 14 from the extended position of
FIGS. 4 and 5, once the disc arm 162 on the air disc 157 is moved
axially inwardly of the air port 146, then the radial inward side
of the air port 146 is open to atmospheric air via axially
extending annular spacings between the slide tube 48 of the
actuator member 26 and each of the side wall 106 of the tubular
member 29 and the inner guide tube 40 of the collar member 38. This
communication of the air port 146 with the atmosphere provides for
equalization of pressure between the atmosphere and the interior of
the container 12 as will relieve any vacuum which may be developed
in the interior of the container 12 due to the removal of the fluid
105 from the container 12 by the liquid pump 30.
Reference is made to FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 showing the actuator
member 26 alone. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the actuator member 26
carries the slide tube 48 which has a radially outwardly directed
outer tubular slide tube wall 52 and a radially inwardly directed
inner tubular slide tube wall 53. The outer slide tube wall 52 is
circular in any cross-section normal the axis 20. Similarly, the
inner slide tube wall 53 is circular in any cross-section normal
the axis 20. The slide tube 48 carries approximate its inner slide
tube end 50 a radially outwardly extending annular end flange 202
presenting an axially outwardly directed stop shoulder 204.
As can be best seen, for example, in FIGS. 17 and 18, the
engagement of the stop shoulder 204 on the slide tube 48 with the
axially inner end 41 of the inner guide tube 40 of the collar
member 38 limits axial outward sliding of the actuator member 26
relative to the collar member 38 and, hence, as seen in FIGS. 4 and
5, limits the axial outward sliding of the piston-forming element
16 relative the piston chamber-forming body 14 in the extended
position. As seen in the left-hand side of FIG. 17, the outer
tubular side wall 52 of the slide tube 48 is in close relation to
the radially inwardly directed inner guide surface 44 of the inner
guide tube 40 on the collar member 38 so as to journal the actuator
member 26 coaxially in the collar member 38 for both rotation about
the axis 20 and coaxial sliding. If, hypothetically, the outer
slide tube 48 and its radially outwardly directed outer tubular
side wall 52 as well as the inner guide tube 40 and its radially
inwardly directed inner guide surface 44 were 360.degree. about
their entire circumference to have the appearances seen in the
left-hand side of FIG. 17, then the actuator member 26 would freely
coaxially slide relative to the collar member 38 and the actuator
member 26 would freely rotate relative to the collar member about
the axis 20. This is not the case, however, as the lug member 46
carries on the collar member 38 and extending radially inwardly
from the inner guide surface 44 of the collar member 38 interacts
with various motion control features provided on the slide tube 48
of the actuator member 26. These motion control features on the
slide tube 48 include, as seen in FIG. 15, an axially extending
slide channel 70, a stop slot 72 and a finger member 62.
The axially extending slide channel 70 is provided on the slide
tube 48 to extend radially inwardly from the outer tubular side
tube wall 52 of the slide tube 48. The slide channel 70 is defined
between two channel side walls 206 and 208 bridged by a channel
base 210. The slide channel 70 is open radially outwardly over a
circumferential extent C' between the slide walls 206 and 208. The
channel base 210 has a radially outwardly directed base surface 211
and a radially inwardly directed base surface 212. The slide
channel 70 has a radially extent R' measured from the base surface
211 to a radius about the axis 20 in which the outer tubular slide
tube wall 52 lies. The slide channel 70 is open at an axially inner
end 220 at the inner slide tube end 50. The slide channel is closed
at an axially outer end wall 221. While the actuator member 26 is
in an operative rotational position relative to the collar member
38, the lug member 46 is received within the slide channel 70,
which condition arises in the unlocked conditions of FIGS. 2 and 3
in which the lug member 46 is axially slidable within the slide
channel 70 permitting reciprocal axial movement of the actuator
member 26 between the retracted position of FIG. 2 and the extended
position of FIG. 3. The lug member 38 has its circumferential
extent C and radial extent R complementary to the circumferential
extent C' and radial extend R' of the side channel 70 so as to
provide for relative axial sliding of the lug member 38 within the
slide channel 70.
The stop slot 72 is provided on the slide tube 48 to extend
radially inwardly from the outer slide tube wall 52 of the slide
tube 48. The stop slot 72 as best seen in FIG. 15 is cut entirely
through the slide tube 48. The stop slot 72 is bordered by a
circumferentially and radially extending axially outer axial slot
stop surface 213 and with the stop slot 72 extending
circumferentially between a radially and axially extending left
slot side surface 214 and an axially extending right slot side
surface 216. The stop slot 72 extends circumferentially between the
left slot side surface 214 and the right slot side surface 216
axially from the axial slot stop surface 213 axially inwardly to an
axially inner slot opening 217 into the stop slot 72 at the inner
side tube end 50. The stop slot 72 has a circumferential extent C''
between the left slot side surface 214 and the right slot side
surface 216 and an axial extent A'' between the axial slot stop
surface 213 and the inner slot opening 217. The slide stop 72 also
has a radial extent R''.
When the actuator member 26 and the collar member 38 are in an
inoperative rotational position such as in FIGS. 1, 16, 17 and 18,
the collar member 38 is coaxially about the actuator member 26 and
the lug member 46 extends radially inwardly from the collar member
38 engaged within the stop slot 72 on the slide tube 48 of the
actuator member 26. In this regard, the lug member 46 and the stop
slot 72 are complementary sized as to their respective
circumference extents C and C'' and radially extents R and R'' and
axial extents A and A'' respectively such that the lug member 46 is
be received within the stop slot 72. With the lug member 46
received in the stop slot 72: (a) engagement between the axially
outwardly directed outer axial lug stop surface 218 on the lug
member 46 and the axial slot stop surface 213 of the stop slot 72
limits axial sliding of the lug member 46 within the stop slot 72
axially outwardly; (b) engagement between the right lug side
surface 220 of the lug member 46 with the right slot side surface
216 of the stop slot 72 prevents relative rotation of the actuator
member 26 and the collar member 36 in one direction about the axis
20; and (c) engagement of the left lug side surface 222 of the lug
member 46 with the left slot side surface 214 of the stop slot 72
restricts relative rotation of the actuator member 26 and the
collar member 38 about the axis 20 in an opposite direction.
In the inoperative rotational position with the lug member 46 of
the collar member 38 received within the stop slot 72 of the
actuator member 26, then a locked condition arises as illustrated
in FIGS. 16, 17, 18 and 21.
The finger member 62 is provided on the slide tube 48 as a portion
of the slide tube wall 52 between a pair of cut slots 54 and 55.
Each of the cut slots 54 and 55 extends radially through the side
wall tube 52 radially between the outer tubular slide tube wall 52
and the inner tubular slide tube wall 53. Each cut slot 54 and 55
extends axially from a respective axial inner slot end 56 and 57
open to the inner slide tube end 52 to a respective blind axial
outer slot end 60 and 61 located spaced axially inwardly from the
inner slide tube end 50. As best seen in FIG. 13, the cut slot 55
is provided as cut from the channel side wall 206 of the slide
channel 70. The cut slot 54 is defined by the combination of the
stop slot 72 and an axially outer slot portion 217 that extends
axially outwardly from the stop slot 72. The finger member 62 is
defined in the slide tube 40 circumferentially between the cut
slots 54 and 55. The finger 62 extends from an axially inner distal
end 64 of the finger member 62 to an axially outer end 66 of the
finger member 62, where the finger member 62 merges into the slide
tube wall 52 between the blind axial outer slot ends 60 and 61. As
can be seen in FIG. 3, the blind axial outer slot ends 60 and 61
are spaced axially outwardly from the inner slide tube end 50 an
equal distance. The finger member 62 has a radially outwardly
directed outer surface 224 that is concave mirroring the curvature
of the outer tubular side wall 52 and a radially inwardly directed
inner surface 225 that is convex and mirroring the curvature of the
inner tubular side wall 53. The finger member 62 has a left side
surface 226 that includes the right slot side surface 216 and on
the opposite side a right side surface 227.
The slide tube 48 is provided such that the finger member 62 is a
resilient member that is deflectable by radially inward directed
forces to move the distal end 64 the finger member 62 radially
inwardly relative the slide tube wall 52. The finger member 62 is
resilient and has an inherent bias to assume an unbiased condition
as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 conforming to the circular in
cross-section shape of the slide tube 48. When a radially inwardly
directed force is applied to the finger member 16 as schematically
illustrated by the arrow F on FIG. 13, the finger member 62
deflects with movement of the distal end 64 of the finger member 62
radially inwardly relative the outer end 66 and, on release of such
force F, the finger member 62 under its inherent bias moves towards
its unbiased condition. The slide tube 48 is preferably made from
materials having some inherent resiliency, preferably by injection
molding as a unitary element from plastic materials. Suitable
resiliency of the finger member 62 may be provided by the selection
of the materials from which the slide tube 48 is made.
The right slot side surface 216 of the stop slot 72 comprises a
portion of the left side surface 226 of the finger member 62 within
the stop slot 72. The right slot side surface 216 includes a cammed
surface 80 which, while extending axially, is "beveled" so as to
extend at an acute angle to an axially and radially extending plane
including the axis 20 with a distance of any point on the cammed
surface 80 increasing in circumferential distance from the left
slot side surface 214 with increased radius from the axis 20.
Each of FIGS. 16 to 19 are illustrations showing merely the
actuator member 26 and the collar member 38 as coupled together and
in which other components forming the pump assembly 10, not shown.
Each of FIGS. 20 to 23 are illustrations showing merely the piston
member 24, actuator member 26 and the collar member 38. Each of
FIGS. 20 to 23 are cross-sectional views along section line D-D' in
FIG. 17 in the extended position but with the piston member 24 and
actuator member 28 as the piston-forming element 16 in different
rotational positions about the axis 20 relative the collar member
38.
Reference is made to FIGS. 16, 17, 18 and 21 which illustrate the
actuator member 26 and the collar member 38 coupled together in the
locked condition and the inoperative rotational position. In these
Figures, under the bias of the spring member 15 (not shown) urging
the actuator member 26 axially outwardly relative to the collar
member 38, the outer axial lug stop surface 218 of the lug member
46 engages with the axial slot stop surface 213 of the stop slot 72
to limit coaxially outward sliding of the actuator member 26
relative to the collar member 38 thereby preventing operation of
the liquid pump 30 and the air pump 31 to dispense the liquid and
air. As best seen in FIG. 21, but also in FIG. 16, the left lug
side surface 222 of the lug member 46 engages the left slot side
surface 214 of the stop slot 72 to prevent rotation of the actuator
member 26 clockwise relative to the collar member as seen in FIG.
21. On FIG. 21, an angular vector A is indicated as the angle of
rotation about the axis 20 between the left lug side surface 222
and the left slot side surface 214 as effectively nil. In use, from
the positions of FIGS. 16 and 21 the actuator member 26 is manually
rotated counterclockwise relative to the collar member 38 until the
right lug side surface 220 of the lug member 46 first engages the
right slot side surface 216 with the camming surface 78 on the lug
member 26 first engaging the cammed surface 80 of the finger member
62 and assume the positions of FIGS. 18 and 22 in which, as seen in
FIG. 22, the angular vector B about the axis between the left lug
side surface 222 and the left slot side surface 214 is marginally
increased over angular vector A in FIG. 21. From the position
illustrated in FIG. 22, on manual forces being applied to the
actuator member 26 to rotate the actuator member 26
counterclockwise relative to the collar member 38, the camming
surface 78 of the lug member 46 and the cammed surface 80 on the
finger member 62 engage applying radially inwardly directed forces
to the finger member 62 deflecting the finger member 62 radially
inwardly out of the path of the lug member 46 and permitting lug
member 46 to rotate circumferentially counterclockwise radially
outwardly past the deflected finger member 62 as illustrated in
FIG. 23 to have an angular vector C between the left lug side
surface 222 and the left slot side surface 214 increased over the
angular vector B in FIG. 22. As seen in FIG. 23, the radially
inwardly directed circumferential lug surface 223 of the lug member
46 is engaged with the radially outwardly directed outer surface
226 of the finger member 62 to keep the finger member 62
deflected.
From the position illustrated in FIG. 23, with subsequent relative
manual rotation of the actuator member 26 counterclockwise relative
to the collar member 38, the lug member 46 comes to move
circumferentially past the finger member 62 and become disposed
within the slide channel 70 with counterclockwise movement of the
actuator member 26 relative to the collar member 38 stopped with
the left lug side surface 222 of the lug member 46 engaging the
channel side wall 208 as seen in FIG. 20. As seen in FIG. 20, the
angular vector D between the left lug side surface 222 and the left
slot side surface 214 has increased over the angular vector C of
FIG. 23. As seen in FIG. 20, the lug member 46 has moved
counterclockwise past the finger member 62 and the finger member 62
under its inherent bias has moved radially outwardly from the
defected condition shown in FIG. 23 towards the unbiased condition
as shown in FIG. 20. In FIG. 20, the lug member 26 is constrained
within the side channel 70 by being disposed circumferentially
between the channel side walls 206 and 208 with the side surfaces
of the finger member 62 in opposed relation to the channel slide
walls 206 and 208. The lug member 46 once received within the slide
channel 70 is maintained within the slide channel 70 preventing
relative rotation of the actuator member 26 relative to the collar
member 38 by reason of the lug member 46 being constrained between
the channel side walls 206 and 208. The engagement of the channel
side wall 206 including the left side surface 226 of the finger
member 62 prevents movement of the lug member 46 from the slide
channel 70 with clockwise rotation of the actuator member 26
relative the collar member 38. The unlocked condition and operative
rotational position illustrated in FIG. 20 corresponds to the
unlocked extended position shown in FIG. 2 from which the actuator
member 26 is free to slide coaxially relative to the collar member
38 between the extended position of FIG. 5 and the retracted
position of FIG. 6 for operation of the liquid pump 30 and the air
pump 31.
FIG. 19 illustrates the unlocked condition as shown in FIG. 20 with
the lug member 26 received within the side channel 70 in the
extended position of FIGS. 2 and 5.
As one manner of assembling the pump 10, the actuator member 26 and
the collar member 38 may be coupled together with the lug member 46
received with the stop slot 72. Subsequently, the piston member 24
may be coupled to the actuator member 26 and then the tube member
39 maybe coaxially disposed about the piston member 24 and coupled
to the collar member 38. Of course, the various other components
such as the one-way valve 17, the foam generator 25 and the spring
member 95 are to be inserted at appropriate times in these assembly
steps. Such an assembled pump 10 would thus have as an initial
condition as in FIG. 1, that is, in a locked condition in the
inoperative rotational position and the extended position with
engagement of the lug member 46 in the stop slot 72 preventing
axial sliding of the actuator member 26 to the retracted position,
preventing rotation of the actuator member 26 clockwise and
resisting rotation of the actuator member 26 counterclockwise
relative to the collar member 38 unless sufficient relative
rotational forces are applied to the actuator member 26 that
engagement between the lug member 46 and the finger member 62
deflects the finger member 62 radially inwardly to permit the lug
member 46 to rotate counterclockwise to be received within the
slide channel 70 assuming the unlocked condition in the operative
rotational position and extended position of FIG. 2. In the
unlocked condition and extended position of FIG. 2, the actuator
member 26 is free to move between the unlocked extended position of
FIG. 2 and the unlocked retracted position of FIG. 3 to dispense
the fluid and air. In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 23,
once the lug member 46 becomes engaged within the slide channel 70
the lug member 46 cannot be moved out of the slide channel 70.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the rotational forces
required to be applied by a user in rotating the actuator member 26
such that engagement between the lug member 46 and the finger
member 62 will deflect the finger member 62 sufficiently that the
lug member 46 will move radially past the finger member 62 are
preferably selected such that there is a clear tactical indication
given to the user firstly that the actuator member 26 is in the
inoperative rotational position relative to the collar member 38
and, secondly, that the finger member 62 has become received within
the slide channel 70 and is in the operational rotational
position.
Referring to FIG. 11, the tubular portion 176 of the air disc 157
carries a radially outwardly directed finger stopping surface 82.
As best seen in FIGS. 20 to 23, the tubular portion 176 is located
radially inwardly from the finger member 62 with the radially
outwardly directed finger stopping surface 82 opposed to the
radially inwardly directed inner surface 225 of the finger member
62 and, as seen in FIG. 23, limits radial inward deflection of the
finger member 62. As seen in FIG. 23, on radial inward deflection
of the finger member 62, the finger stopping surface 82 located
radially inwardly from the finger member 62 is engaged by the
finger member 62 and increases the resistance to deflecting the
finger member 62 radially inwardly out of the path of the lug
member 46, as can be advantageous to serve a number of
purposes.
Preferably, the actuator member 26 and its slide tube 48 including
the finger member 62 are integrally formed by injection molding
from a material having desired properties with an inherent
resiliency so as to provide the finger member 62 to assume an
inherent unbiased position, permit deflection of the finger member
62 and return of the finger member 62 to the inherent unbiased
position. Providing the finger stopping surface 82 located radially
inwardly from the finger member 62 can assist in controlling
deflection of the finger member 62. For example, in deflection of
the finger member 62 the axially inner distal end 64 of the finger
member 62 will come to engage the finger stopping surface 82 and
limit further inward deflection of the distal end 64. This can be
advantageous to prevent undue deflection and deformation of the
finger member 62 as at its outer end 66. In one first arrangement,
the tubular portion 176 may be relatively rigid to prevent radial
inward movement of the finger member 62 when engaged by the finger
62. In this first arrangement, once the inner distal end 64 of the
finger member 62 engages the finger stopping surface 82, increased
radially inward deflection of the finger member 62 between its
distal end 64 and its outer end 66 may be required to permit the
lug member 46 to move circumferentially therepast thereby
increasing the resistance required to deflect the finger member 62
outwardly out of the path of the lug member 46.
In a second arrangement, the finger stopping surface 82 is
resilient having an inherent bias to assume an inherent position
and when deflected from the inherent position to return to the
inherent position. In this regard, the tubular portion 176 may
provide for such resiliency and insofar as the finger member 62 is
moved radially inwardly, such radial inwardly movement of the
finger member 62 will deflect the finger stopping surface 82
radially inwardly with the finger stopping surface 82 resiliently
biasing the finger member 62 radially outwardly towards the
inherent biased position of the tubular portion 176. The tubular
portion 176 may preferably be formed of a material that provides
resiliency and is biased to return to an inherent position and will
urge finger member 62 radially outwardly.
In the preferred embodiments as illustrated, for example, in FIG.
23, the inherent resiliency of the tubular portion 176 provides at
least stopping and preferably a resiliency. Alternatively, a
separate annular spring member (not shown) could be provided and
carried with the tubular portion 176 to provide in effect a spring
to bias the finger member 62 radially outwardly.
Referring to FIG. 21, the finger member 62 in its unbiased
condition as shown in FIG. 21 is spaced radially from the finger
stopping surface 82, that is, with the radially inwardly directed
inner surface 225 of the finger member 62 spaced from the finger
stopping surface 82. As an alternate arrangement, the finger member
62 as seen in the unbiased condition as shown in FIG. 21 could have
its radial thickness increased so as to provide the radially
inwardly directed inner surface 225 of the finger member 62 closely
adjacent the finger stopping surface 82 even when the finger member
62 is in its inherent unbiased position as seen in FIG. 21. In this
arrangement, for inward movement of the finger member 62, there
would be the requirement of radial inward deflection of the tubular
portion 176 which would need to have an acceptable resiliency and
with the advantage that the resiliency of the tubular portion 176
would serve to return the finger member 62 to its unbiased
configuration. With such an arrangement the extent to which the
finger member 62 needs merely be deflectable and the need to be
resilient is reduced or at least substantially eliminated.
Maintaining a resilient resistance to deflection of the finger
member 62 inwardly and biasing the finger member 62 to move to its
inherent position radially outwardly can be advantageous to ensure
that a user on rotating the actuator member 26 relative to the
collar member 38 receives tactical sensory feedback, that is,
feedback perceptible by touch, indicative of the change in
rotational positions as can be useful for a user to understand the
relative position of the actuator member 26 and the collar 38.
In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention as
illustrated in FIG. 22, the camming surface 78 on the lug member 46
engages with the cammed surface 80 on the finger member 62 to
deflect the finger member 62 radially inwardly so as to permit
rotation of the actuator member 26 counterclockwise relative to the
lug member 46, however, clockwise rotation of the actuator member
26 relative to the collar member 38 is prevented. Reference is made
to FIG. 24 which shows a second embodiment of a pump in accordance
with the present invention. FIG. 24 is identical to FIG. 20 but for
two exceptions. As a first exception, the lug member 46 is modified
to include as a curved merger of the left lug side surface 222 and
the circumferential lug surface 223 a camming surface 178 and, as a
second exception, the finger member 62 includes on its right side
surface 227 a cammed surface 180. On rotation of the actuator
member 26 clockwise relative to the collar member 38, the
engagement of the camming surface 178 and the cammed surface 180
deflects the finger member 62 radially inwardly out of the path of
the lug member 46 permitting the lug member 46 to rotate
circumferentially clockwise past the finger member 62 from the
operative rotational position shown in FIG. 20, through to
positions similar to that shown on FIGS. 23 and 22, to an
inoperative rotational position similar to that shown on FIG. 21.
In FIG. 24, relative clockwise rotation of the actuator member 26
relative to the collar member 68 from the operative rotational
position towards the inoperative rotational positional is blocked
by the lug member 36 engaging the finger member 62, however,
insofar as sufficient clockwise rotational forces are applied to
the actuator member 26, then the engagement between the camming
surface 178 of the lug member 46 and the cammed surface 180 of the
finger member 62 will deflect the finger member 62 so as to permit
relative clockwise rotation of the lug member 46 from within the
slide channel 70 to within the stop slot 72.
Reference is made to FIG. 25 which illustrates a cross-sectional
side view substantially the same as FIG. 5, but showing a pump
assembly 10 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 25 is identical to FIG. 5 but for three exceptions.
As a first exception, the transfer ports 156 through the stem 32
have been eliminated. As a second exception, an air transfer
opening 208 has been provided radially through the tubular portion
176 of the air disc 157. As a third exception, the passageway 34
through the stem 32 has been reduced to have a simplified, reduced
and more constant diameter, and the foam generator 25 is
eliminated.
As contrasted with the pump assembly 10 of the first embodiment
which included both a liquid pump 30 and an air pump 31, the pump
assembly 10 in accordance with the third embodiment of FIG. 25
merely includes the liquid pump 30 and does not include an air
pump. Air within the air compartment 402 is free to move through
the air transfer opening 208 and, hence, to the atmosphere. No
communication is provided from the air compartment 402 into the
passageway 34. The operation of the pump assembly 10 in FIG. 25 and
the opening and closing of the air port 146 by the air disc 157 is
unchanged and continues to provide selective passage of atmospheric
air into the container 12. While the third embodiment of FIG. 25
continues to show the tube member 39 has having a stepped
configuration, insofar as merely a liquid pump 30 is provided, the
pump assembly of FIG. 25 could be modified so that the diameter of
the air chamber 118 is the same as or closer to the diameter of the
liquid chamber 19.
Reference is made to FIG. 26 showing a perspective view of an
actuator member for a fourth embodiment of a pump assembly in
accordance with the present invention. The actuator member of FIG.
26 has close similarities to the actuator member 26 described with
reference to that of the first embodiment as notably shown in FIG.
14. In the actuator member 26 of FIG. 26, the stop slot 72 has been
modified compared to the stop slot 72 in FIG. 14. On FIG. 26,
dashed lines 406 delineate an axial portion 408 of the stop slot 72
from a circumferential portion 210 of the stop slot 72. The axial
portion 408 guides and permits sliding of the lug member 46 axially
outwardly relative to the actuator member 26 from the inner end
opening 217 until the lug member 46 engages the outer stop surface
213. The circumferential portion 410 opens circumferentially into
the axial portion 408 in a direction extends circumferentially away
from the axial portion 408 and away from the finger member 62. The
circumferential portion 410 is defined axially between the axial
outer stop surface 213 and an outwardly directed axially inner stop
shoulder 412. The circumferential portion 210 ends
circumferentially at an axially and radially extending rotation
stop surface 414 bridging between the outer stop surface 213 and
the inner stop shoulder 412. While the lug member 26 is in the
axial portion 410 engaged with the outer stop surface 213 against
the bias of the spring 15, rotation of the actuator member 26
clockwise relative to the collar member 38 moves the lug member 46
circumferentially into the circumferential portion 410. While lug
member 46 is received in the circumferential portion 410 between
the outer stop surface 213 and the inner stop shoulder 412, coaxial
sliding of the actuator member 26 relative to the collar member 38
is prevented both axially outward and axially inwardly. Axially
inwardly from the inner stop shoulder 412, the axial portion 408 is
bordered by the right slot side surface 216. When the lug member 46
is in the axial portion 408 under merely the influence of the
spring 15, the spring 15 biases the actuator member 26 axially
outwardly relative the collar member 38 to the extended position in
which extended position the lug member 46 is in a location axially
inwardly from the circumferential portion 410 and with clockwise
rotation of the lug member 46 prevented by engagement with the left
slot side surface 214. To move the lug member 46 from the extended
position axially within the axial portion 408 to enter the
circumferential portion 210, it is necessary to apply manual forces
to the actuator member 26 to compress the spring member 15 from the
extended position towards the retracted position until the lug
member 46 engages the outer stop surface 213 at which point manual
rotation of the actuator member 26 clockwise relative to the collar
member 38 moves that the lug member 46 into the circumferential
portion 410 of the stop slot 72.
On FIG. 26, the cammed surface 80 on the finger member 62 is shown
to extend from the end flange 202 to the outer stop surface 213.
This is preferred such that with the lug member 46 in the
circumferential portion 410 rotation counterclockwise with
sufficient force will result in the lug member 46 engaging and
deflecting the finger member 62 radially inwardly. However, in
another configuration, the cammed surface 80 may merely extend from
the end flange 202 to just axially outwardly beyond the position
the lug member 46 assumes in the extended position, in which case,
the lug member 46 would need to move axially inwardly in the axial
portion 408 before further rotation counterclockwise will engage
the cammed surface 80 to deflect the finger member 62. On FIG. 26,
the finger member 62 has a reduced radial thickness
circumferentially adjacent the cammed surface 80 over a
circumferentially extending slotway 107 provided between the end
flange 202 and a circumferential extension of the end flange 202.
On FIG. 26, unlike FIG. 5, the cammed surface 80 is not provided on
the end flange 202.
Reference is made to FIGS. 28 and 29 which illustrate a fifth
embodiment of a dispenser 9 and a pump 10 in accordance with the
present invention.
The actuator member 26 of FIG. 27 is substantially identical to the
actuator member 26 described with reference to the first embodiment
as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 12 to 15 and notably in FIG.
15. In FIG. 15, the slide channel 70 has a circumferential extent
between the channel side walls 206 and 208 selected to be of a
circumferential extent C' only marginally greater than the
circumferential extent C of the lug member 46 so as to constrain
the lug member 46 to slide axially within the slide channel 70 in a
purely axial direction relatively closely proximate to the channel
side walls 206 and 208. Similarly, in FIG. 27, slide channel 70 is
defined circumferentially between side wall 206 and side wall 208.
However, in FIG. 27 the side walls 206 and 208 are spaced
circumferentially an extent C''' substantially greater than the
circumferential extent of the lug member 46. In the embodiment of
FIG. 27, the slide walls 206 and 208 extend over the
circumferential extent C''' greater than 270 degrees. As a result,
when the actuator member 26 is coupled to the collar member 38 with
the lug member 46 received within the slide channel 70, the
actuator member 26 may be manually rotated relative the collar
member 38 to a number of different rotational positions as
schematically illustrated in FIG. 27.
Referring to FIG. 28, on FIG. 27, the stop slots 72 and the finger
member 62 is identical to that shown in FIG. 15. In FIG. 15, the
slide channel 70 has, in any cross-section normal to the axis 20, a
constant cross-section axially to the inner slide tube end 50 of
the slide tube 40, and thus axially through the end flange 202. The
embodiment of FIG. 28 shows that it is not necessary that the side
channel 70 extend through the end flange 202 or be open to the
inner slide tube end 50. In FIG. 28, the slide channel 70 is at its
axially inner end closed by end flange 202 and its stop shoulder
204. FIG. 28 continues to show the cut slots 55 as extending
axially inwardly to the inner slide tube end 50. With the actuator
member 26 as shown in FIG. 28, for assembly, the collar member 38
is assembled to the actuator member 26 sliding the lug member 46
axially outwardly into the stop slot 72 from which position by
relative rotation of the actuator member 26, the lug member 46 may
come to move past the finger member 62 to be located within the
slide channel 70.
Reference is made to FIGS. 30 to 32 which illustrate a sixth
embodiment of a dispenser 9 and a pump 10 in accordance with the
present invention. FIG. 31 is a pictorial view of an actuator
member 26 for the pump 10 of the dispenser 9 in FIG. 30. Aside from
the differences in the actuator member 26, the dispenser 9 and the
pump 10 of FIG. 30 are preferably identical in their components to
the dispenser 9 and pump 10 of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to
23. The actuator member 26 in FIG. 31 is substantially identical to
the actuator member 26 in the first embodiment as shown, for
example, in FIGS. 12 to 15 and notably in FIG. 15. Each of the
actuator member 26 of FIG. 15 and the actuator member 26 of FIG. 31
have an identical stop slot 72, an identical finger member 62 and
an identical slide channel 70. However, in the actuator member 26
of FIG. 31, five additional axially extending slide channels 170
are provided. Each of these side channels 170 similar to the slide
channel 70 have channel side walls 206 and 208, a channel base 210,
a base surface 211, and a channel inner end 210. Between the slide
channel 70 and the slide channel 170 adjacent thereto, there is
provided a circumferentially extending part annular slotway 416.
When the actuator member 26 is biased by the spring 15 to the
extended position relative to the collar member 38, the lug member
46 is axially aligned with the slotway 416. With the lug member 46
in the slide channel 70, clockwise rotation of the actuator member
26 relative to the collar member 38 urges the lug member 46 to pass
circumferentially through the slotway 416 into the side channel
170. As can be seen in FIG. 31 and in cross-section in FIG. 32,
each slotway 416 includes a pair of raised bosses 418 and 419 which
prevent the lug member 46 from moving circumferentially through the
slotway 416 unless a sufficient rotational force is applied to
overcome the frictional interference between the lug member 46 and
each boss 418. As can be seen in FIGS. 31 and 32, each pair of
adjacent of the slide channels 170 are also connected to each other
by a slotway 416. Thus, while the actuator member 26 is in the
extended position, by appropriate rotation of the actuator member
26 relative to the collar member 38, the lug member 46 can be
rotated to different operational rotational positions in which the
lug member 46 is received in one of the side channel 70 and 170 in
which in each the actuator member 26 is axially slidable relative
to the collar member 38 for operation of the pump 10. The plurality
of different operational rotational positions that the actuator
member 26 can assume relative to the collar member 38 with the lug
member 46 within one of the side channels 70 and 170 to permit
operation of the pump 10 is schematically illustrated in FIG.
30.
Reference is made to FIG. 33 showing a pictorial view of dispenser
9 with a pump assembly in accordance with a seventh embodiment that
has close similarities to the dispenser of the sixth embodiment in
FIGS. 30 to 32. FIGS. 33 and 34 illustrate two different pictorial
views of an actuator member 26 for the pump assembly 10 shown in
FIG. 33. The actuator member 26 shown in FIGS. 33 and 34 is
identical to the actuator member shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, however,
with the first exception that each of the slide channels 70 and 170
have a different axial extent A'. When a lug member 46 is received
in any one of the slide channels 70 and 170 in FIGS. 33 and 34,
then the axial length of the stroke of the piston-forming element
16 relative to the piston chamber-forming body 14 is limited by the
location of the respective axially outer end wall 221 of each of
the slide channels 70 and 170. These different lengths of strokes
for reciprocal movement of the piston-forming element 16 provides
in each cycle of operation in moving the piston-forming element 16
between an extended position and a retracted position for the
discharge of different volumes of liquid for the respective
different slide channels 70 and 170. As a second exception, the
actuator member 26 in FIGS. 33 to 35 is provided with volume
indicia 300 for each of the slide channels 70 and 170 to indicate
to the user the relative volume to be dispensed when the actuator
member 26 is rotated to a position in line with one of the slide
channels 70 and 170. Preferably, indicia 301 is also provided on
the actuator member 26 to indicate to the user a locked position.
The indicia 300 and 301 are located on the actuator member 26 to be
visible to a user when the actuator member 26 is in extended
operation positions such as shown in FIG. 35. Preferably, an
indicator 303 is provided on the collar member 38 to indicate when
the relative rotational position of the actuator member 26 on the
collar member 38 corresponds to one of the indicia 300 and 301. For
example, as seen on FIG. 33 showing a pictorial view of a dispenser
9 in accordance with the seventh embodiment, the indicator 303
provides an indication that the actuator member 26 is in an
inoperative locked position by reason of the indicator 303 being
axially aligned with the indicia 301. By an appropriate
manipulation of the actuator member 26 to rotate from the locked
configuration to an unlocked configuration, the indicator 303 on
the collar member 38 will come to be aligned with an appropriate
one of the slide channels 70 and 170 with the indicia 301 for that
slide channel being visible to the user.
The pump assembly 10 illustrated in the first embodiment provides
for the simultaneous dispensing of air and liquid through a foam
generator 25 to produce a foam product. The configuration of the
pump is, however, also suitable for simultaneous dispensing of air
and liquid as a spray or mist in which case the foam generator 25
would not be provided and a suitable nozzle for producing a desired
spray of the air and the liquid would be provided.
In accordance with the preferred embodiments, the pump assembly
includes a liquid pump or both a liquid pump and an air pump. Of
course, other arrangements could be embodied which is merely an air
pump. Each of the liquid pump and air pump are shown to be piston
pumps. In each of the liquid pump and air pump shown, discharge is
provided in a retraction stroke. The particular nature of the
piston pumps illustrated by the liquid pump and the air pump may,
however, be substituted by other constructions for liquid pumps and
air pumps which may, for example, discharge fluid in a withdrawal
stroke. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention that
arises in respect of the interaction of the lug member 46 with
motion control features on the guide tube 48 can be adopted for
various arrangements in which a piston element is to be constrained
in its ability to relatively slide axially and rotate relative to a
piston chamber-forming body.
The preferred embodiments of the liquid pump provide a separate
one-way inlet valve 17. It is known to a person skilled in the art
by various configurations of stepped chambers that a liquid piston
pump can be provided without the need for a separate one-way valve.
In accordance with the present invention, the pump provides for
simultaneous discharge of air and liquid in which the liquid pump
and the air pump operate in sequence, that is, dispensing
simultaneously in a retraction stroke. It is to be appreciated that
in accordance with various liquid pumps and air pumps which may be
desired to be utilized, the liquid pump may be out of phase with
the air pump in the sense of the liquid pump discharging liquid
into the air compartment during one stroke and the air pump
discharging air and the liquid received from the liquid pump in
another stroke.
The preferred embodiment illustrates a pump assembly in which each
of the components forming the pump are preferably formed as by
injection molding from plastic materials and to provide for ease of
manufacture from a minimal number of components. The piston
chamber-forming body 14 is shown as being illustrated principally
from two components, namely, the tube member 36 and the collar
member 38. It is to be appreciated that these two components could
possibly be injection molded as a single component, however, this
would increase the complexity of the molds required for
manufacture.
In accordance with the preferred embodiments, the pump assemblies
are adapted for use in a dispenser which preferably is a bottle top
dispenser in which the fluid is dispensed upwardly. This is not
necessary and, in accordance with the present invention, pump
assemblies could be developed which utilize similar lug members and
motion controlling features yet permit dispensing of the fluid
downwardly for in other orientations such as horizontally.
Modifications of the liquid and/or air pumps can be made to
facilitate the direction that fluid needs to be moved yet still use
a similar interaction of the lug member and motion controlling
features. In the preferred embodiments illustrated, for example, in
FIG. 1, the dispenser 9 is adapted to be placed on a support
surface such as a table and as such a tabletop dispenser is
preferably adapted for dispensing hand cleaning fluid from hand
cleaning disinfectants and hand cleaning creams.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred
embodiments, many modifications and variations will now occur to
persons skilled in the art. For definition of the invention,
reference is made to the follow claims.
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